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Hoping someone can shed some light on this. I've been suffering from some low level dizziness for quite some time now. My doctor sent me to a PT that determined it was not dizziness but balance problems and they want me to see a vestibular dysfunction specialist (an ENT type). I'm not a fan of being shuffled from one doctor to another but at this point, I just want it gone.
The PT determined I have this problem by having me stand and close my eyes (I fell over), and this test where she would move my head back and forth while trying to read an eye chart (I failed miserably). Those were her primary reasons for suspecting this. Additional tests she performed seemed to confirm her suspicion.
I am wholly unfamiliar with this area and even after reading about it on the internet, it seems vestibular dysfunction covers a huge range of issues. My history includes no medication, no major medical issues, no illness, etc. This just started over a month ago. Was episodic at first and now is constant. It's not severe but anything, if it lasts 24/7, becomes somewhat unbearable.
Have any of you ever had a vestibular problem? Does my testing already done give any clue as to why I am getting this? Thanks!
So no one, huh? Well, I've done some research and all of the tests I 'failed' at the PT place are related to cerebellum dysfunction. Anyone have experience with that or what causes it?
So, I'll update again. Saw an ENT. No answers. They want to do an MRI to rule out brain tumor which I consider an absurd idea. I have no seizures, no confusion, and nothing that would traditionally suggest a tumor. I find this idea of doctors not knowing what is wrong and ordering tests until they find something a dismal method of diagnostics. I love how I went from having balance issues to having to screen for a brain tumor. So crazy. I think perhaps going with the most likely issue first is a better approach. Are balance problems really that hard to diagnose?? Ugh.
Have the tests. It's the only way to rule out certain things & figure out the problem.
Let us know how your tests go.
I will. I wrote that last post in a moment of frustration. Being dizzy and off balance has NOT been fun and I was hoping for an easy answer and solution. Such is life.
I will. I wrote that last post in a moment of frustration. Being dizzy and off balance has NOT been fun and I was hoping for an easy answer and solution. Such is life.
I understand. It's tough if the docs can't figure out the problem immediately. And having to schlep around for all these tests isn't the best way to spend the day.
Hopefully it won't take too many tests for them to find the issue & solve it.
Back in June 2010 I had vertigo... a result of a allergy attack but nothing we tried make me any better. They sent me for a MRI to see what my problem was and there were 2 tumors on my brain! As shocking as that was to hear, they were not my problem. The tumors are nothing to worry about, we do MRI'S every few years to check on those.
I did everything the ENT told me to do, took all the medication, took physical therapy, had a bunch of tests but I continued to have problems. I got rid of the vertigo only to find I had lost my sense of balance. The simple act of walking out in the yard would give me motion sickness, I'd stagger when I walked like I was drunk, one minute I would be fine, the next ready to topple over from dizziness. OK, on Feb. 14, 2012 I was scheduled for surgery on my neck for a unrelated issue. I woke up that morning with vertigo again and I have had it every day since!
Of all the tests I had in the beginning, I got the diagnoses of MAV..(migraine associated vertigo) and BPPV (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). I am on medication for those but since I have had this vertigo nonstop for over a year, I am wondering if the meds are doing any good. There is no "cure" for this mess, but the medications are suppose to "manage" it.....(and for the last year it isn't working to well.)
Back in June 2010 I had vertigo... a result of a allergy attack but nothing we tried make me any better. They sent me for a MRI to see what my problem was and there were 2 tumors on my brain! As shocking as that was to hear, they were not my problem. The tumors are nothing to worry about, we do MRI'S every few years to check on those.
I did everything the ENT told me to do, took all the medication, took physical therapy, had a bunch of tests but I continued to have problems. I got rid of the vertigo only to find I had lost my sense of balance. The simple act of walking out in the yard would give me motion sickness, I'd stagger when I walked like I was drunk, one minute I would be fine, the next ready to topple over from dizziness. OK, on Feb. 14, 2012 I was scheduled for surgery on my neck for a unrelated issue. I woke up that morning with vertigo again and I have had it every day since!
Of all the tests I had in the beginning, I got the diagnoses of MAV..(migraine associated vertigo) and BPPV (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). I am on medication for those but since I have had this vertigo nonstop for over a year, I am wondering if the meds are doing any good. There is no "cure" for this mess, but the medications are suppose to "manage" it.....(and for the last year it isn't working to well.)
Holy cow. I hope you don't mind me saying that I really don't want to end up like you!
They ruled out BPPV through some simple tests (turning my head while it was backwards). I don't have vertigo so much as imbalance. That feeling of being drunk and totally not able to control my balance when I walk (I stagger all over the place). Mine came on quite gradually. Was episodic and low level for several weeks - easy to ignore. Now, I have it 24/7 and it's increasing in intensity seemingly everyday. The addition of the headache on the back of my head is why my doctor wants to see if I have a brain tumor. I personally think that's highly unlikely. My daughter had a tumor in her head and he was her doctor so that might also be tempering his decision to check for a tumor. However, I still think it's unlikely.
I was reading about labyrinthitis and wonder if this would fit me. Going to ask the doctor about it. Although I had no cold or preceding illness before my imbalance started. No pain in my ears either but I read that's not always the case.
The ENT gave me steroids to take. Thus far, no improvement. Hopefully though, that will do it and I'll be done with this horrible feeling. I can't imagine having this long term. It's quite debilitating.
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